Nature and Elements

Nature is full of infinite causes that have never occurred in experience.

Darkness is absence of light. Shadow is diminution of light.

Oysters open completely when the moon is full; and when the crab sees one it throws a piece of stone or seaweed into it and the oyster cannot close again so that it serves the crab for meat. Such is the fate of him who opens his mouth too much and thereby puts himself at the mercy of the listener.

Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature because in her inventions nothing is lacking, and nothing is superfluous.

Nature is the source of all true knowledge. She has her own logic, her own laws, she has no effect without cause nor invention without necessity.

The eye, the window of the soul, is the chief means whereby the understanding can most fully and abundantly appreciate the infinite works of Nature; and the ear is second.

Those who are inspired by a model other than Nature, labor in vain.

If you are on the side whence the wind is blowing you will see the trees looking much lighter than you would see them on the other sides; and this is due to the fact that the wind turns up the reverse side of the leaves which in all trees is much whiter than the upper side.

The sun gives spirit and life to the plants and the earth nourishes them with moisture.

To make a perfume, take some rose water and wash your hands in it, then take a lavender flower and rub it with your palms, and you will achieve the desired effect.

If you do not rest on the good foundation of nature, you will labour with little honor and less profit.

Experiment is the sole interpreter of the artifices of Nature.

The smallest feline is a masterpiece.

Vitality and beauty are gifts of Nature for those who live according to its laws.

My body will not be a tomb for other creatures.

Nature never breaks her own laws.

The wisest and noblest teacher is nature itself.

I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.

A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light.

Water is the driving force of all nature.